Surface cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A surface cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head and a housing member supporting a water storage container, a steam generator including a heating element, and a steam outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further includes an elongate member connecting the cleaning head to the housing member. The elongate member includes a fluid passage communicating with the steam outlet for directing steam towards the cleaning head. The elongate member is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2014/050357, filed Feb. 7, 2014, which claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 1401712.3, filed Jan. 31, 2014, the entire contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface such as a floor or wall which utilises a source of steam.

The use of steam cleaners for cleaning floor and other surfaces is well known. For cleaning floor surfaces, a steam cleaner typically has a cleaning head comprising a body able to be moved, by a user, over the surface to be cleaned, the body being adapted to carry a cleaning element of or including a fabric/textile or other material of a steam permeable absorbent nature. Steam (or very hot water) is emitted from the body and passes through the cleaning head to contact the surface being cleaned, with the effect of loosening dirt from the surface. Dirty water from condensation of the steam on the surface is absorbed by the cleaning element.

The cleaning head, to enable it to be manipulated over the surface being cleaned, may be attached to a wand and steam supplied thereto by way of a hose from a separate steam generator. Alternatively, the wand may itself be provided with a steam generator and supply of water, to form a self-contained steam cleaning device, sometimes referred to as a “stick” or “mop” type of steam cleaner.

The steam generator for such devices typically includes a water storage container (e.g. a tank which a user fills with water), an electric pump (which is controlled by a user operable switch) and a heating element(s). In use, water is fed from the tank to the heating element by the pump, where it is then heated. The resulting steam (or very hot water) then passes from the heating element towards the cleaning head and thus the surface to be cleaned.

A further provision known in such a steam cleaner is the ability to store a cleaning agent, e.g. a solution of a suitable detergent, to assist the cleaning operation.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, we provide a surface cleaning apparatus including:

-   -   a cleaning head;     -   a housing member supporting:         -   a water storage container;         -   a steam generator including a heating element(s);         -   a steam outlet, and     -   an elongate member connecting the cleaning head to the housing         member, said elongate member including a fluid passage         communicating with the steam outlet for directing steam towards         the cleaning head,     -   wherein the elongate member is releasably connectable to the         cleaning head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 4 is further front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a further side view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus with a cleaning head thereof disconnected;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a housing member of the surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the surface cleaning apparatus; and

FIG. 12 is an underside view of the cleaning head of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures, these show an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 has a cleaning head 12, a housing member 14 and an elongate member 16 extending therebetween. The cleaning head 12, elongate member 16 and housing member 14 are therefore connected to each other in this sequence, with the housing member 14 being positioned farthest from a floor surface to be cleaned. Whilst not shown in the figures, the cleaning head 12 is adapted to carry a cleaning element of or including a fabric/textile or other material of a steam permeable absorbent nature, as is well known in the art.

The housing member 14 supports, and in this example, houses a water storage container, a steam generator including one or more heating elements, and a pump for feeding water from the storage container to the steam generator (although a pump is not essential). These components parts are not shown in the figures, nor discussed in greater detail herein, as they are well known in the prior art. The housing member 14 also includes a includes a user-graspable handle formation 18 including a hand aperture 19 and one or more controls 20 a, 20 b for operation of the apparatus 10, e.g. for providing power (mains or battery, which could be supported or housed in the housing member 14) to the pump and steam generator. Other controls could be utilised, and their location changed, if desired, without departing from the scope of the invention. The housing member 14 has a steam outlet 35 which communicates with the steam generator.

The elongate member 16, which is substantially circular in cross-section, connects the cleaning head 12 to the housing member 14, and includes a fluid passage (not shown) which communicates with the steam outlet 35 for directing steam towards the cleaning head 12. Whilst in the present example the elongate member 16 is a single component (albeit made from a number of component parts), embodiments are envisaged where the elongate member includes two or more members connected in end-to-end configuration, preferably with the members being releasably connectable to each other. The connection of the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head is by way of a universal-type joint 9, which permits 360° articulation therebetween. Other types of hinge are envisaged, e.g. those which permit less than 360° articulation. The universal-type joint 9 has a storage condition which holds the elongate member 16 generally upright, such that a centre of gravity of the apparatus 10 sits within a footprint of the cleaning head 12. Thus, the apparatus 10 is free-standing in this position, although it need not be configured this way.

Advantageously, the elongate member 16 has a steam outlet 37 (see FIG. 9) which is releasably connectable to a steam inlet 11 (see FIG. 7) of the cleaning head 12 by way of a first holding device 22. The first holding device 22 includes a first locking member 24 supported on the cleaning head 12 which is pivotally moveable at 25 between locking and unlocking positions. An end of the locking member 24 is engageable with a first formation on the elongate member 16 in the formation of a wedged-shaped projection 26. In use, a user applies downward pressure with their foot (or hand) to an extension part 28 of the locking member 24 to cause the member 24 to pivot out of engagement with the projection 26.

If should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the first locking member could be supported on or by the elongate member 16, with the projection being provided on the cleaning member 12. In either configuration, the first locking member 24 may be engageable with a recess rather than a projection.

Advantageously, a steam inlet 17 (see FIG. 7) of the elongate member 16 is releasably connectable to the steam outlet 35 of the housing member 14 by way of a second holding device 30, which is similar in function to the first holding device 22.

The second holding device 30 includes a second locking member 32 supported on the elongate member 16 which is pivotally moveable at 33 between locking and unlocking positions. An end of the locking member 32 is engageable with a second formation on the housing member 14 in the formation of a wedged-shaped projection 34. In use, a user applies downward pressure with their hand to an extension part 36 of the locking member 32 to cause the member 32 to pivot out of engagement with the projection 34.

It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the second locking member could be supported on or by the housing member 14, with the projection being provided on the elongate member 16. In either configuration, the second locking member 32 may be engageable with a recess rather than a projection.

Advantageously, the first and second locking members 24, 32 are biased to their locking positions by respective springs (not shown), although embodiments are envisaged where that is not necessary. Embodiments are envisaged where the locking members are, for example, slidably moveable, rather than pivotally moveable.

An advantage of the releasable connections between the housing member 14, elongate member 16 and cleaning head 12 is that they permit the apparatus 10 to be easily disassembled for storage. In addition, it permits the apparatus 10 to be used in a number of configurations, each suitable for specific types/locations of steam cleaning. For example, it can be seen from FIG. 9 that with the cleaning head 12 disconnected the elongate member 16 and housing member 14 can still be utilised for steam cleaning (e.g. spot cleaning of floors/walls or small, hard to reach, locations). In addition, with both the cleaning head 12 and elongate member 16 disconnected (see FIG. 10), the housing member 14 can be used as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus. In the latter example, the cleaning head 12 can, if desired, be connected directly to the housing member 14 (thus removing the need for the elongate member 16). In both of the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 one of a selection of tools for cleaning may be connected to the steam outlet 35, 37 to assist in cleaning. For example, the tool may include a brush to assist in removing dirt from the surface being cleaned.

Whilst not shown in the embodiment in the figures, embodiments are envisaged where the housing member supports a detergent storage container. In such an embodiment the housing member may include a detergent outlet which communicates with a separate detergent passage in the elongate member for directing detergent towards the cleaning head. The detergent passage and fluid passage in the elongate member may be positioned side-by-side, e.g. either side of an axis of the elongate member, with a cross-sectional area of the fluid passage being greater than a cross-sectional area of the detergent passage, although this need not be the case.

Embodiments are envisaged where the detergent is mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the elongate member via its steam outlet to the cleaning head, such that entering the cleaning head is a detergent/steam mixture. In an alternative embodiment, detergent may be mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the housing member via its steam outlet to the fluid passage of the elongate member, such that there is no need for a separate detergent passage in the elongate member.

In a yet further envisaged embodiment, the cleaning head may support a detergent storage container (instead of being provided in the housing member). In such an embodiment the detergent may be mixed with steam at or before the detergent/steam mixture exits the cleaning head and on to the floor surface.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. 

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning head; a housing member supporting: a water storage container; a steam generator including a heating element; and a steam outlet, and an elongate member connecting the cleaning head to the housing member, said elongate member including a fluid passage communicating with the steam outlet for directing steam towards the cleaning head, wherein the elongate member is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing member includes a user-graspable handle formation and a control for operation of the apparatus.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a first holding device for holding the elongate member relative to the cleaning head.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first holding device includes a first locking member supported on or by one of the elongate member or cleaning head which is moveable between locking and unlocking positions, and which is engageable with a first formation on or in the other of the elongate member or cleaning head.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first formation is a recess or a projection.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first locking member is moveable to its unlocking position by a foot of a user.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member is releasably connectable to the housing member.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus includes a second holding device for holding the elongate member relative to the housing member.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second holding device includes a second locking member supported on or by one of the elongate member or housing member which is moveable between locking and unlocking positions, and which is engageable with a second formation on or in the other of the elongate member or housing member.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second formation is a recess or a projection.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first locking member is biased to the locking position by a spring.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first locking member is pivotally movable between the locking and unlocking positions.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member includes a steam outlet which is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the cleaning member.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steam outlet of the housing member is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the elongate member.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing member is useable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus once disconnected from the elongate member.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing member supports a detergent storage container.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the housing member includes a detergent outlet which communicates with a detergent passage in the elongate member for directing detergent towards the cleaning head.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the detergent passage and fluid passage in the elongate member are positioned side-by-side.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein a cross-sectional area of the fluid passage is greater than a cross-sectional area of the detergent passage.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein detergent is mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the elongate member via its steam outlet to the cleaning head.
 21. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein detergent is mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the housing member via its steam outlet to the fluid passage of the elongate member.
 22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the fluid passage of the elongate member is for directing the detergent/steam mixture towards the cleaning head.
 23. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the cleaning head supports a detergent storage container and includes a detergent outlet.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein detergent is mixed with steam at or before the detergent/steam mixture exits the cleaning head.
 25. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member is substantially circular or oval in cross-section.
 26. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steam outlet of the housing member is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the cleaning member.
 27. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member includes at least two members connected in end-to-end configuration with the members being releasably connectable to each other.
 28. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning head, elongate member and housing member are connected to each other in that sequence, with the housing member being positioned farthest from a floor surface to be cleaned.
 29. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a tool for cleaning, the tool having a conduit which is connectable to the steam outlet of the housing.
 30. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a pump for feeding water from the water storage container to the steam generator. 31.-32.(canceled) 